Protective moose gets stabbed with porcupine quills while defending calf in Colorado

A moose took on a porcupine to protect its calf — and got a face full of quills in return.

The mother moose was recently spotted in Breckenridge, Colorado, with needles sticking out of its nose, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said Monday, June 6.

Wildlife officials think “the porcupine got too close to her calf,” Parks and Wildlife said. “As mom moved it away, she was stuck with quills.”

The moose wasn’t hurt, but concerned passersby reported its injuries to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Some wildlife officials said the moose’s determination while defending its young serves as a warning to people to stay away from moose.

“This cow moose took on a porcupine to protect its calf,” officials said. “Think she’s afraid of you? Keep a safe distance from moose.”

On Monday, May 31, a woman was charged and trampled by a moose while running on a Colorado trail. She was looking at her feet and saw the moose when she looked up.

The runner reported seeing a newborn moose calf in the area, and officials believed the moose was protecting its calf.

Moose attacks in Colorado are increasing, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. They are protective animals and will defend their territory and young.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife knows of at least 15 moose conflicts since 2013 where people have been injured. Dogs were involved in almost all of those conflicts, wildlife officials said.

If someone encounters a moose, they should give it space to move, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. People shouldn’t try to haze a moose out of the way.

“Not only is it dangerous, but this is also considered harassment and is illegal,” officials said. “If a moose has laid-back ears, pawing the ground, licks its snout, or changes its direction to face you, you’re too close and need to back away.”

Breckenridge is about 80 miles southwest of Denver.

This story was originally published June 6, 2022 at 11:37 AM with the headline "Protective moose gets stabbed with porcupine quills while defending calf in Colorado."